Fizzle Rock and Carl Millar jumping the final hurdle to win for trainer Nigel Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
On an evening where it paid to be up with the pace, Fizzle Rock was another to make all the running when providing jockey Carl Millar with a first win over jumps in the Mulhern Leonard Chartered Accountants Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.
Winner of a Down Royal bumper on her racecourse debut two years ago, the Nigel Slevin trained mare ran well on her next two starts but was then off the track for 645 days before returning over hurdles at Tipperary in May.
Having shown little on that occasion, she then fell early on her next run at Downpatrick but there was definite promise of better to come when fourth at Bellewstown on her latest start.
Sent straight into the lead by Millar here, the daughter of Laverock appeared to have the measure of nearest pursuer Attaboyarchie when that one fell at the second last. From there, it was easy for Fizzle Rock who kept on well to win from Sea Road Fill and Scott Lang
Carl Millar said: "I'm from Blanchardstown and work full-time with Gordon Elliot and then I'm in with Nigel Slevin every evening. He's been brilliant to me. You have to watch and learn and it seems to be suiting front-runners here this evening. I had a bumper winner for Nigel before and this is my first winner over hurdles.
"I was always travelling strongly, keeping the momentum going and keeping the bit high in her mouth, and she was tough and kept going well for me.
Nigel Slevin added: "She's a homebred mare so we'll keep her to breed from her. My grandfather had the breed and they're a tough family, a joy to have. I won a point-to-point on the dam. Carl did well on her because she's not simple to ride."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.
